Inter 1 – 3 Arsenal
Arsenal celebrated reaching the Champions League last 16 in style by beating Inter Milan thanks to Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres.
The Gunners had already received confirmation of their place in the top eight of the league stage following Manchester City’s surprise defeat to Bodo/Glimt earlier today.
However, Jesus’ exploits continued the Gunners’ perfect record in Europe this season, while also building momentum ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United, a game in which Jesus now put himself firmly in contention to start Gyokeres again before the Swede restored his credentials with a late strike.
Mikel Arteta made seven changes to his starting XI with the visit of Michael Carrick’s side this weekend on the horizon, although there were departures for several key names, including William Saliba, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka.
It was Jesus who stole the show, taking the initiative to give his side an early lead as he latched on to the end of Jurrien Timber’s deflected effort and pushed the ball past Yann Sommer – his first Champions League goal since April 2024.
Gabriel Jesus’ double could be enough for him to get a start against Manchester United on Sunday, live on Sky Sports
Inter equalized soon after as the visitors failed to clear their lines, allowing Petar Sucic to fire into the top corner from 20 yards.
Petar Sucic equalized for Inter against Arsenal with a well-executed strike
It wouldn’t be an Arsenal game without a set-piece goal, which came just after half an hour, as Leandro Trossard was able to head the ball across the penalty area from a corner, giving Jesus the simple task of tapping in from close range.
Gabriel Jesus is congratulated by his teammates after scoring his team’s second goal against Inter
Inter continued to cause Arsenal problems on the break, perhaps a positive for Carrick and United who looked so lethal on the counter-attack against Manchester City, but failed to break down the Gunners for the second time on the night.
Sunday January 25 at 4:00 p.m.
Kick-off at 4:30 p.m.
The hosts would ultimately be punished as substitute Gyokeres combined with Saka before finding the top corner in what was the perfect response to Jesus’ effort.
Viktor Gyokeres came off the bench to score Arsenal’s third goal against Inter Milan
That, and the decision to keep Jesus in the team, is a problem for another day for Arteta, as his side ensured they finished top two in the league stage with a win, while Inter found themselves clinging to a top eight place by the narrowest of margins.
Jesus: Me or Gyokeres? We will both score
Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus speaking to Amazon Prime after the match:
“(It’s a) dream night. I’ve always dreamed of being a footballer. I’ve watched a lot of Serie A and Italian football, so to be here and play here and score here brings tears to my eyes.
“There is always a reason why things happen. I learned that over the 11 months. It’s difficult to play at Inter. We played here last season and we lost.
“Tonight we played better than them and we controlled them. They have the best players and are playing at home. In the end we scored and then we took the three points. It’s an incredible feeling.
“Everyone wants to start. I’m a respectful guy. I understand the situation.
Viktor Gyokeres has scored three goals in his last three Champions League matches
“I understand how football works. I was happy that Vik scored. Being a striker without a goal is always difficult.
“I’ve been fighting against this my whole career. I’m happy that he came on and scored. I’m 100% sure that if a guy gets the chance, he will score and help us as well.”
Arteta: ‘I couldn’t have written it better’
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Mikel Arteta praises Arsenal’s “hunger” to come to San Siro and beat Inter Milan 3-1 in the Champions League.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaking to Amazon Prime after the match:
“I’m very proud of the team. We needed a special performance and a very complete performance from a top team and we certainly did that tonight.
“It was the courage, the attitude and the desire to go to another level that impressed me the most. To do it at San Siro against the best team in Serie A and one of the best in Europe is something else.
“It was about being better than them. We knew how to go through the different stages.
“They managed the game and controlled the game in a very good way. We knew we had to do it on the pitch and also through the substitutes.
On Gabriel Jesus:
“There is an incredible player. The bigger the game, the more comfortable he plays.
“I’m so happy for him. I think he deserves the man of the match award. Not just for the goals but for all the work he’s done.
“We missed Gabby a lot. Now we have profiles in different positions. It only makes us better.”
On the score of Jesus and Gyokeres:
“If I had to write it, this would be it.”